Membership Has Its Privileges
By MARK SCHADENBERG
It was in 1987 that American Express introduced their adage / slogan 'Membership Has Its Privileges".
Those words continue to be true in many spaces and organizations -- quite notably the Woodstock District Chamber Of Commerce.
In business, having a strong network of colleagues and often a mentor among your group, can be key to success. Friendships and community bonds could lead to partnerships, service club volunteering, a successful local fundraiser, or perhaps simply a camaraderie of reaching common goals.
The Chamber of Commerce with its slogan -- Connects & Advocates -- can be integral in all these areas, which in turn can be advanced to recognizing your peers with an annual awards dinner. The Woodstock Chamber Awards of Excellence is divided into 8 categories ranging from food services to community engagement, from young entrepreneur to outstanding new business, and from agri-business to manufacturing to retail / commercial. Membership has its privileges as members can vote for their choice. The Chamber also has a 'hall of fame' with the annual announcement of the President's Award recipient. Nominations are closed, but the event is set for Wednesday, Nov. 6 at the Columbo Club in Beachville. The online voting portion of calculating the winners is now underway ! Buy your tickets and join the Chamber. Or, join the Chamber and then buy your tickets.
The best way to determine if the Chamber is a destination for you is to attend a monthly After Five social gathering (These are free and open to non-members). The next calendar event is Nov. 12 and the co-hosts are Amanda Murray from Edward Jones and also The Beauty Hive. The location will be 563 Dundas -- The Beauty Hive. I will be the first to admit that the After Five networking nights are often scheduled when I'm already double booked for City Council with both the museum board and recreation advisory meetings on the second Tuesday.
I just realized, that I'm already at paragraph six and I haven't mentioned the 2 key people in operating the Chamber and its office at 447 Hunter Street (Next to library; same building as United Way Oxford). Mike Crabbe (pictured) is the general manager, while Kim Whitehead is the past manager.
Whitehead is a perfect example depicting why you should consider joining the Chamber (Membership rates are noted on website of www.woodstockchamber.ca) as she was the long-time advertising sales manager of The Sentinel-Review and you can only guess the long list of contacts she developed over the years in business and retail circles in that role. Crabbe, meanwhile, who grew up in Woodstock, is well known for previous positions with Theatre Woodstock and the United Way of Oxford.
The Chamber locally also offers a monthly newsletter (along with timely E-blasts at other times) with important updates, education sessions listed, a group insurance plan, a membership directory, travel groups, and a strong board of directors, which is currently led by Jason Stanko, who is prominent locally from RBC Bank, but is community-minded through projects which include Habitat For Humanity and the board for United Way.
Other board members are posted on the website -- a list which is impressive for local business leaders such as Brad Hammond of the City Of Woodstock Economic Development office, along with dedicated board members Allison Henkell, Ted Beynen, Ifhan Hudda, Darlene Jauernig, and also the guy I like to refer to as Woodstock's Giant Tiger -- store boss Bob Armstrong. As a long-time curling convener, I wonder if Bob Armstrong would list curling and the chamber as the best 2 places to acquire friends and networking allies?
In an effort to continue name dropping, I will add that Fanshawe College Woodstock campus continuing education manager Lisa Wells is a regular at Chamber functions. The connection is that your business may have employees seeking an upgrade in credentials and Lisa Wells would be the person to talk to.
Lisa Wells is also organizing the next Coffee Connection gathering at Fanshawe (Note: To be held at 45 Metcalf campus) on Oct. 31. Here's the second note: The event is for members only, so consider being a member.
On Tuesday, March 19, (2025) the annual Sip & Sample Social tastings event will feature the Oxford Auditorium as its venue. It's billed as 3 hours of socializing and wandering around to more than 30 participating vendors.
When you additionally factor in the Jingle & Mingle holiday social at Fore Oxford on Dec. 3, plus an annual general meeting, and other on-going events, the annual membership rate of under $300 is an economical fee. Look at the website for more details as companies enrolling more than 2 people receive discounted rates.
Email: info@woodstockchamber.ca
March News Story: https://www.heartfm.ca/news/local-news/woodstock-chamber-welcomes-new-gm/
www.woodstockchamber.ca
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